With the death of Jupiter in The Dark Portal, the rats have been thrown into disarray and no longer represent a threat to the Deptford mice. The community is recuperating from the ravages committed by the rats. Oswald is still very sick, however, and every day his health declines a little more. For his part, Twit is contemplating returning home to his fields. Audrey and Twit are summoned by the Starwife, the leader of the squirrels, and they are accompanied by Twit's friend, the old sailor mouse. There, they learn that Madame Akkikuyu has survived the collapse of the rat empire, but that her mind has gone. She doesn't remember her role in Jupiter's reign, and the squirrel queen wants her out of her territory. Audrey is therefore tasked with accompanying Akkikuyu to the countryside, and in exchange she will be provided with an healing potion that will save Oswald. Audrey reluctantly agrees, only to learn that she will need to live with Akkikuyu until the old rat dies.
Accompanied by a merchant, Audrey, her brother Arthur, and Twit head out on boats, and eventually arrive in Fennywolde. Audrey and Arthur are introduced to the local mice. Twit's best friend Jenkins is being beaten by his religious father, Isaac, who considers every action to be heretical against the Green Mouse. They also meet Mr. Woodruffe, the the King of the Field, and Alison Sedge, a local beauty who instantly takes a dislike to Audrey.
When young field mice are attacked by an owl, Akkikuyu intervenes and saves their lives, and even brews a potion that heals them, earning the admiration of the village. Audrey is bitter at having to stick with the rat, and they drift apart. She consoles herself by building a doll from corn stalks. Akkikuyu begins to hear a voice, that of a spirit called Nicodemus. Nico is attempting to escape his prison, and he promises the rat much magical powers if she helps him. As a trap is set for Audrey, who will serve as the sacrificial mouse that will release Nico from his current existence, the unsuspecting mouse is unaware that an old enemy lurks nearby ...
The story concludes in The Final Reckoning.
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